Theresa Reilly of the Telecom IT Department is living the Verizon Credo and giving back in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Theresa Reilly, of the Telecom IT Department knew that she had to do something. When she heard many of the students from her elementary school, St. Catherine of Genoa/St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Academy in Brooklyn lost everything, Theresa was ready to help.  "My sister and I went to this school and my mother too." "The kids appreciate all that is given to them.  I have been participating in Matching Gifts and Tools for Schools for a few years and they are always so thankful."

During the gas crisis, Theresa, who is a Staten Island resident drove to Brooklyn to take her father to the dentist and thought she would stop by the school with some Verizon Foundation t-shirts since she was in the area. She expected to find Sister Pat at the front door and when she rang the bell, it was her 5th grade teacher, Sister Lynn who appeared. The school happily accepted the t-shirts and turned the donation into an arts and crafts project where the students customized their shirts with paints and decorations.

"It's unusual to find people who are still connected to their elementary schools. Theresa has been very good to us." remarked Sister Pat. "It all starts with the parents.  Her father still makes donations all these years later."

Theresa is one of many employees who is living the credo by making the world in which we work and live better than it was yesterday.